In Response to Recent Tragic Mass Shootings Across the Country, Rhode Island House of Representatives Passes Crucial Gun Safety Bills; Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Applaud

Volunteers Have Pushed Hundreds of Calls and Emails to Lawmakers to Advocate for Gun Safety Legislation 

The Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding the Rhode Island House of Representatives for passing three important gun safety bills that would prohibit high capacity magazines (H 6614; Rep. Caldwell), prohibit the open carry of rifles and shotguns in public (H 7358; Rep. Felix), and raise the minimum age to purchase rifles and shotguns from 18 to 21 (H 7457; Rep. Tanzi). The Senate Judiciary Committee is now set to take up these bills on Tuesday, June 14th. 

“Our gun violence crisis requires comprehensive, proven solutions that prioritize safety for all Rhode Islanders,” said Jennifer Boylan, volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action. “These bills would help prevent unauthorized access to guns and armed intimidation on our streets, and ensure that dangerous high capacity magazines are removed from our state. We thank Speaker Shekarchi, Leader Blazejewski, Chairman Craven, Reps. Caldwell, Tanzi, and Felix, and all the rest of the gun sense champions in the House for their leadership in bringing these bills to the floor for a vote, and we look forward to the Senate passing these bills next week.”

In an average year in Rhode Island, 46 people die by guns, and 135 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Rhode Island $299.3 million each year, of which $14.6 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Rhode Island is available here.